This post comes to you under the “anything else that strikes my fancy” part of my blog mission.
Every year, we go to Oshkosh with a group of friends called the Metro Warbirds, and over the years, I’ve learned a few things.
- You have to be able to take a joke.
- Sometimes, you need to fly with your flaps down.
- When using the porta-potty, leave your phone in the tent, wear shoes, and don’t look down.
- The difference between a good air mattress and a bad air mattress can be as small as a pinhole.
- If you want a cold one, you have to go deep.
- Never underestimate the importance of sunscreen.
- Or bug spray.
- Or a hat.
- To fit in, pitch in.
- The most beautiful angels are blue.
- Glow sticks aren’t just for kids.
- A diamond formation has nothing to do with jewelry or geology.
- The clock of life is wound but once. Make every minute count.
- Life is good. Except when you’re sharing a cold drink with friends under the wing of an airplane. Then, it’s great.
Feel free to comment with what you’ve learned at Oshkosh. For inspiration, here’s a picture of an evening at camp.
Photo Credit: The Engineer
The Byrd and the Bees 
From my own experiences at OzSTOC motorbike rallies, I’d add:
Take your own toilet paper and never, ever lend it. Take a battery-operated compressor – life is too short to use a foot pump. Abandon all pretence at having a hairstyle, bed-hair is here to stay. And finally, bacon is the best smell on earth… 🙂
From which you can probably conclude that Down Under motorbike rallies are not so very dissimilar from light aircraft rallies in your part of the world. Just with fewer angels.
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Someone generally brings a generator, usually someone who drives in. And usually the TP is pretty well kept filled, though it’s always wise to check. Bed hair and bacon smell about the same. So, you’re pretty darned close!
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I’m attending my very first OSH this year… camping in North 40. Very excited! One question… “If you want a cold one, you have to go deep”… what does this mean? Because, uh… beer. Cold. Need. 😉
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You’re right. I was referring to beer, which is not officially allowed at campsites (https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/eaa-camping-information/airplane-camping/airplane-camping-guidelines) or really anywhere except EAA restaurants. And they didn’t even serve it until a few years ago. You had to hike out of the grounds to the SOS tent. (https://m.facebook.com/SOS-Bros-Beer-Venture-at-EAA-122035551174943/). The rule tends to be ignored. Hence the cooler if beer and “going deep” to get a cold one. Try the SOS tent too sometime if you have time. I enjoy it for lunch despite the bikini-topped servers (no male equivalents, alas). Good bar food.
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Here’s a link to previous posts about Oshkosh from my old blog: https://kymlucas.me/?s=Oshkosh+&submit=Search
Have a great time!
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Thanks!
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My pleasure.
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